FAWEZA, OXFAM LAUNCHES “I CARE ABOUT HER SCHOOL PROJECT”

By MacPherson Mukuka

Violence against women and girls has been a major root of concern in the past years. Women and girls are dying almost on a daily basis at the hands of those who once claimed to cherish them.

Gender-based violence is also invasive in our Country Zambia. Just in the last 2 years, January 2012 to date, about 13 thousand cases of GBV has been recorded in Zambia.

In trying to mitigate the scourge, various strides have been made by different women organisations.

 Yesterday, the forum for African women educationalists of Zambia with support from Oxfam and in partnership with the Ministry of Education launched the ‘            I care about her school project, aimed at sensitizing the young boys on the effects of GBV.

And speaking during the launch, Ministry of education Permanent secretary (PS) Chishimba Nkosha, says government is concerned with the escalating number of GBV cases against school girls which has made most of them drop out of school.

The PS said most young girls have stopped school after failing pregnant.

Mr. Nkosha further said that his ministry is confident that the new intervention with have a positive impact on the lives of both girls and boys in school.

And Oxfam Country Director Nellie Nyang’we says her organisation has partnered with FAWEZA to intensify the Campaign against GBV.

Meanwhile, FAWEZA National Chairperson Lillian Kapulu says targeting the boys in school will greatly help fight the vice.

Some school girls and boys spoken to have expressed happiness at the launch of the project stating that it will help those with less or no information on GBV to gain some knowledge. 

Gender Based Violence in Zambia has to some extent become a part of everyday life; however we must all unite by any possible means and fight the vice.